Shobhana's pov

I'm sitting in the dugout, my camera on one side, and the laptop on the other. I'm transferring files, glancing up occasionally to check the match as I talk to the dean. 

I'm halfway through the list of files, answering her questions about my assignment and the deadline when he drops a bombshell.

"Shobhana, I wanted to let you know that you and Kriti have your flight scheduled for tomorrow at 7 p.m. You two will be flying back then," the dean says on the other end of the line, his voice cutting through the buzz of the dugout.

I freeze mid-click. Tomorrow? The flight's tomorrow? I wasn't mentally prepared for that. I had just started to feel like I was getting into a groove here, surrounded by the team, and now I have to leave?

"Wait, what? Tomorrow?" I ask, voice incredulous.

"Yes, tomorrow. I'll have the tickets sent over to you both. Safe travels, okay?"

I let out a soft groan. "Yeah, sure, thanks, Dean."

After the call ends, I exhale loudly, staring at the screen. I hear a faint ringtone, and my phone buzzes on the table. It's Kriti. I answer immediately, bracing for her reaction.

"Shobhana, oh my God! Can you believe it? We have to leave tomorrow!" Kriti's voice is a mix of frustration and disbelief.

"I know, right? I was just talking to the dean. We're both flying back tomorrow evening."

She sighs. "Ugh, I don't want to leave. I was just starting to enjoy all the drama and, well... him," she whispers, emphasizing the last word. I can't help but laugh.

"Are you talking about Ishan?" I ask, smirking.

"Who else? But he's driving me crazy, in a good way. I can't believe I'm about to leave him."

"Tell me about it," I mutter, glancing over at Shubman, who's busy talking to one of the coaches. "I really don't want to leave either. I've gotten used to being here... and to him."

Kriti lets out a dramatic sigh. "You mean Shubman? Girl, you're so gone for him. It's adorable, honestly. You're whipped, I can see it."

"Shut up, Kriti!" I laugh, but deep down, I know she's right. I'm totally whipped. I can't even help it, every time he smiles at me, my heart skips a beat.

"Well, you know what? We'll make the most of tonight, okay? I'll make sure to spend as much time with Ishan as possible. You with Shubman?"

I can hear the teasing in her voice, and it's making me blush. "Shut up, I swear. It's not like that," I say, although my tone gives me away.

"I'll believe that when I see it, girl. Anyway, see you later! Love you!"

"Love you too," I hang up and set my phone down, still feeling the sting of having to leave. 

But before I can stew in it too much, Shubman walks into the dugout, his eyes locking with mine as he approaches.

Shubman's POV

I've been walking back to the dugout, still buzzing from the game and from the thought of Shobhana. I glance over at her, sitting there looking at her laptop, her hair messy in the best way possible, like she's been working for hours. 

She looks... so effortlessly gorgeous. But as soon as I see the expression on her face, I know something's off.

She's biting her lip, and I can tell she's upset. Uh oh.

"Hey, everything okay?" I ask, slipping into the seat next to her.

She looks at me and sighs, rolling her eyes. "I have to leave tomorrow. The flight's at 7 p.m."

The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. She's leaving? No. 

That's not possible. We just started spending so much time together, and now she has to leave?

"No, you can't," I say, the frustration bubbling up in my chest.

She raises an eyebrow. "I didn't exactly plan this, Shubman. It's not up to me."

"Yeah, but..." I hesitate, looking at her, "I really didn't expect you to leave so soon. I was hoping we could hang out a little longer, maybe... do something special."

Her eyes soften. "I know, I wish I could stay, too. But duty calls."

I hate hearing that. I want to keep her here with me, just for a little while longer. I want to show her how much she means to me—how much more she could mean to me. 

Shobhana's POV

As Shubman stares at me, I can feel the heat radiating off him. There's something in the way he's looking at me right now that makes my insides twist. 

I know he's upset, but he looks so damn good right now. His jersey's slightly unbuttoned at the collar, his jaw sharp, and his eyes filled with this unspoken intensity.

God, I'm in trouble.

He sighs, breaking the silence, "Look, I really don't want you to go."

His voice is low, like he's sharing a secret with me, and it sends a shiver down my spine. I can't help but smile at him. "You'll survive. I promise."

He leans in, his hand brushing mine as he gives me a playful look. "Are you sure? Because... I'm not so sure I can live without you for a few days."

Oh, shit. My pulse picks up. I can feel the chemistry between us intensifying, and I can't help but smile at him. "I'm not worried about you surviving," I tease.

His eyes darken slightly, and I can see that mischievous glint in his eyes. "No? Because I think you might be the one struggling."

Holy hell, I think to myself. The way he said that made me weak in the knees. 

I'm trying to hold it together as we drive back to the hotel. But the air in the car feels charged. Shubman's quiet and I can tell he's thinking about something, but I can't place it.

"I'm gonna miss you," he says quietly, glancing at me.

I smile softly. "I'm gonna miss you, too."

He turns to look at me, and his gaze feels like it's burning through me. I want to kiss him. So badly.

"Can't you just stay another day?" he asks, his voice almost a whisper.

Damn, he's good.

"I can't," I reply, fighting the urge to lean in. "But we'll make tonight count, okay?"

He smirks. "Oh, it's already counting, trust me."

The car ride is a blur of tension, excitement, and anticipation.